Workers that cut hair go by a variety of different titles. Barbers typically specialize in cutting men's hair, while hair stylists cut men's or women's hair and might also provide hair treatment services. Cosmetologists are beauty workers who might cut hair and provide other services like skin care and hair removal. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that all states require workers to be licensed. Hair cutters have to graduate from a beauty care program approved by the state in which they operate to become licensed.

Income Range

May 2011 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hair stylists and cosmetologists made $12.72 an hour on average. This hourly income rate translates to an average annual income of $26,460. The top 25 percent of workers earned more than $30,000 a year, while the bottom quarter made less than $18,420. Barbers earned $28,050 on average. Fifty percent of barbers made between $19,380 and $33,420 a year.

Top States

BLS data show that New Jersey had the highest concentration of hair stylists and cosmetologists in May 2011.Hiar cutters there averaged $28,820 a year in income. New York led the nation in terms of total employment of hair cutters and paid an average of $29,000 a year. Workers in Hawaii and Washington earned more than $34,000 a year on average to rank first among the 50 states in highest pay, although the District of Columbia paid more.

Top Industries

Most hair cutters work in the personal beauty services industry, although some find employment in other sectors of the economy. About 23,500 stylists worked for department stores in May 2011 and earned $22,880 a year on average. Hair cutters working at general merchandise stores earned $24,550 a year on average, while workers at nursing care facilities earned $28,410 on average. About 400 hair stylists were employed in the video and motion picture industry and earned $69,780 a year on average.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of barbers to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, while employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists should increase by 16 percent. Employment prospects for new workers should be good due to retirement of current workers and the need to replace workers who go into other fields. Strong competition is likely for jobs at upscale salons and for top clients.